Alpine's recent decision to abandon Renault engines starting from 2026 and officially switching to Mercedes engines has generated strong controversy, especially among employees of the historic Viry-Châtillon plant. With the announcement that the French team will rely on the German manufacturer's power units, the future of the production site and its workers appears uncertain. In response, employee representatives have issued a harsh letter of protest, denouncing the loss of jobs and the abandonment of an engine already in an advanced stage of development.
The decision to abandon Renault engines for Mercedes
Alpine's decision to abandon the production of its own power units had been in the air for some time, but now it's official: from 2026 the team will be powered by Mercedes. The economic difficulties related to the development of the new power units required by the 2026 regulations have led the Renault Group to opt for a more sustainable solution: becoming a customer team, following the model already adopted by McLaren.
Alpine, which had always relied on its own engines, decided to change its strategy to remain competitive in an increasingly complex and expensive environment. However, the decision to say goodbye to the tradition of Renault engines has raised criticism and concerns, especially among workers at the Viry-Châtillon plant, who see an increasingly uncertain future.
The protest letter from the Viry-Châtillon employees
Workers' representatives at Viry-Châtillon were quick to react to Renault's decision, issuing a letter of protest in which they express their disappointment and concern about the consequences this choice will have on the future of the company and its employees.
“The decision to stop producing Formula 1 engines from 2026 was taken by Groupe Renault with the aim of reducing financial risks, but without conducting a serious analysis of the effects that this decision will have on future sales and the prestige of the brand,” the statement reads. Workers also criticize the failure to explore alternative solutions, such as partnerships, that would have allowed costs to be reduced without giving up engine production.
The letter also highlights the regret for abandoning the RE26 engine, already in an advanced stage of development, which will never see the light of day on the track. “Alpine is depriving itself of an already promising and well-developed engine,” the employees write, reiterating their opposition to the management's choice.
Consequences on the employment level and future unknowns
One of the most critical aspects of the decision is the impact on jobs. Viry-Châtillon employees will see a drastic reduction in their workforce, with the number of employees going from 500 to 334 by January 1, 2025. Many external supplier contracts will be canceled, with a domino effect that will lead to the loss of around 100 indirect jobs by the end of 2024.
“With the end of supplier contracts, we will lose about 100 indirect jobs,” workers’ representatives say. Added to this is the closure of initiatives such as the Mechanical Excellence Competition (CEMA), promoted by the Ministry of Labor and Education, which had a crucial role in training young talents and promoting diversity.
Criticisms of the management of the new “Hypertech Alpine” project
Although Renault has proposed the transfer of employees to the new “Hypertech Alpine” project, which aims to develop hybrid and electric technologies, workers have expressed doubts about the sustainability and concreteness of this plan. The lack of clarity on the resources allocated to this project and on the actual job stability of the employees involved was highlighted in the letter.
Furthermore, representatives raised concerns about the future of Alpine's F1 department, noting that the staffing planned for the so-called "F1 monitoring unit" appears insufficient for the team's possible return as an engine supplier in the future.
“The size of the F1 power unit appears inadequate and calls into question Alpine’s long-term return as an engine manufacturer,” the statement read, concluding that the decision to abandon power unit production is a step that deprives the team of its sporting history.
An uncertain future for the Viry-Châtillon plant
The letter from the employees ends with an appeal to the public authorities to defend the sustainability of employment at the Viry-Châtillon plant. The workers are concerned that the closure of the F1 engine program could have long-term repercussions on the future of the production site, with the loss of key skills and the flight of talent.
Despite the turmoil of recent months, the Viry team has continued to develop the 2026 engine, demonstrating extraordinary commitment. However, the decision to stop the production of F1 engines, which goes against Alpine's history and ambitions, risks depriving the team of a promising future and compromising the brand's competitiveness.
